By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Real Madrid beat Olympiacos in the final of the Kaunas Final Four in 2023 and in the semifinal of the Berlin Final Four in 2024. This time, however, the Reds will have the home court advantage in the upcoming playoff series against the Spaniards.
Real beat Bayern Munich 93-71 in the last game of the Play-Ins, much easier than expected.
Mario Hezonja, with 19 points, led the charge, Dzanan Musa contributed 16, Alberto Abalde scored 13 points, Facundo Campazzo added 12 points and five assists, and Edy Tavares had 10.
“Now the most important part of the season starts”, said Hezonja after the final buzzer.
“We know we didn’t play beautiful basketball this year. We tried to find our rhythm with different lineups. It was extremely hard for the coaching staff, it was extremely hard for the players, but I think we showed what this team can do with its leaders on the court. We are ready for Olympiacos, I don’t know how someone wouldn’t be ready for that”.
“Olympiacos is a great opponent, but we know that we need to get five more victories to be champions again”, added coach Chus Mateo.
Playing without their All-EuroLeague guard Carsen Edwards, as it was announced just hours before the game, Bayern had to create a miracle, and that simply didn’t happen.
Shabazz Napier (19 p.), Andreas Obst (12 p.), and Devin Booker (10 p.) were the top scorers of the losing side.
Real Madrid dominating
Madrid set the tone early, leading 15-3 just after four minutes of action. It kept its distance at 22-8 and closed the first quarter up by 16 (33-17), delivering almost a knockout blow to Bayern from the get-go.
The Germans trimmed the lead to 10 points (36-26), only for Hezonja to take over and score 10 points in the second period, including a three to end the first half for a 19-point lead (52-33) for the “Whites”.
Madrid pushed their advantage to 24 points (67-43) after a three by Campazzo midway through the third period, and the game was over. The only question after that was just the final score, with Madrid resting their main stars in the end.
“After this season it’s tough, but it is what it is, Madrid has to get all the credit”, admitted Bayern coach Gordon Herbert.
Photo credit: EuroLeague